Our name, “FirstLight” communicates a large part of who we are. Here are some of the meanings we were hoping to convey through our name. If you get a different meaning from our name, please share it with us by emailing pastor@firstlightgardner.org.

Four Meanings of “FirstLight”

1. We chose FirstLight largely because it was a common event with a common meaning that all people could relate to. FirstLight is the moment of the day that offers the most hope. At FirstLight, we like to think of ourselves as hope-givers; as those who announce that there are new possibilities on the Horizon for individuals, families, the Gardner community, Christianity, and the world at large.

2. In the Bible’s stories about Jesus, FirstLight is the moment of the day where women struggling with brokenness, a lack of meaning, and no inspiration for ministry met a Resurrected Jesus (Matthew 28:1-6). This encounter changed their lives. This is our vision for FirstLight. When somebody asks the question, “So what happens at FirstLight?” our answer is intentionally Biblical.  At FirstLight, people struggling with breaking relationships and searching for meaning in their everyday life have their lives changed for the better by the Resurrected Jesus.  This change, we believe, will in turn inspire people to CHANGE the community and world. See our Mission Statement for more of an explanation.

3. On that first Easter, the women who met the Resurrected Jesus knew that other must be told! FirstLight believes that the world today holds some marking similarities with that first Easter. In a way, it is as if we are standing at the first FirstLight. We find ourselves in a pre-Christian country with millions who need to be told the full story of who Jesus is in a language they can relate to.

4. The three towering events God does in the Bible are Creation, Liberation, and Resurrection. Each of these events happens at early the beginning of the day, or FirstLight. (See Genesis 1, Exodus 12:29-51 and Matthew 28:1-10). By naming ourselves FirstLight, we are calling attention to what God has done and will do again.

We would love to hear your ideas about what FirstLight means to you.